Silver lining for Jamie

West Berkshire hammer throwers shine at national schools championships

JAMIE KUEHNEL set a new Newbury Athletic Club hammer record as he finished second in the English Schools National Championships at Gateshead.

The 17-year-old St Barts pupil, in his first year of the Senior Boys category, threw a distance of 59.13m, well above the national standard of 57m for his age group.

Kuehnel headed a hat-trick of local hammer throwers who performed well for Berkshire at the national championships.

Charlotte Payne from Kennet School came fourth out of a massive entry of 24 athletes in the Junior Girls (U15) section with a throw of 44.91m, again above the national standard off 39.00m.

It was an impressive display as she is in the first year of the age group, and all her rivals were one year older than her.
And Park House pupil Oliver Hewitt, who competes for Team Kennet, threw 49.10m to place 14th in the Inter Boys (U17) hammer.
All three of the throwers are coached by Bob Broadbridge.

And the trio are in their first year of their age groups so next year they will be determined to bring home gold medals.

Another Team Kennet athlete, Darcy Fleming, finished second in her heat of the Junior Girls 80m hurdles in a new personal best time of 11.24.

That put her through to the final, where she came eighth in 11.4.